Assault And Sexual Abuse Program

If you have been recently sexually assaulted or a victim of intimate partner violence (domestic violence), please come immediately to the Emergency Department of Cornwall Community Hospital and ask for an "ASAP nurse".

Cornwall Community Hospital Assault and Sexual Abuse Program (ASAP) provides around-the-clock services and support for women, men and children who reside in Cornwall or in the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. Established in 1992, ASAP is one of a number of hospital-based, sexual assault/partner violence victim-care centres in Ontario. It is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. (http://www.sadvtreatmentcentres.net)

We offer four types of service:

Emergency care

Counselling

Referrals

Outreach and training

Emergency care

Clients in need of urgent medical care are advised to go to the emergency room at the Cornwall Community Hospital (840 McConnell Avenue). At the hospital they will be examined by either an ASAP nurse examiner or a physician and treated for physical injuries and/or sexually transmitted infections, if required. Clients may also opt to have drug testing done to determine whether unsuspecting drugs were present.

At the same time, physical evidence of the assault or abuse, as well as photographic documentation, may be collected and recorded, if appropriate. If the client is unsure whether she or he wishes to proceed with legal action, this evidence can be stored. Questions of safety or other urgent issues may also be addressed at that time.

At a later date, the ASAP nurse examiner will contact the client to provide follow-up care.

Counselling

In addition to our nurses, the ASAP team includes full-time social workers who provide services relating to both recent and past sexual assault and domestic violence.Depending on the client's needs, these services may include evaluation and counselling, or referrals to shelters or health-care or mental-health professionals, if appropriate.

Referrals

Because the effects of sexual and domestic violence are complex and cannot be met by any one group, ASAP works with a variety of community organizations to provide a continuum of care to victims and survivors of assault or abuse.

Outreach and training

Raising awareness and providing training for professionals such as police and health-care providers are important parts of what we do. Our staff is available to answer questions, conduct presentations and provide training on topics such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, date rape and sexual harassment. Individual presentations and seminars can be tailored for community organizations and area businesses.